Khulna: The Khulna Regional Food Controller Office has successfully surpassed its Boro paddy and rice procurement targets, completing the drives ahead of schedule on August 15.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the procurement efforts concluded 16 days prior to the official deadline of August 31, after achieving over 109 percent of the boiled rice target and 105 percent of the Boro paddy target across all ten districts in the division. By August 15, the office had procured 47,442 tonnes of Boro paddy and 192,636 tonnes of boiled rice.
The procurement drive, which commenced on May 15, 2025, involved purchasing paddy at Taka 36 per kilogram and boiled rice at Taka 49 per kilogram. The Regional Food Controller Office initially aimed to procure 45,037 tonnes of boiled rice and 173,319 tonnes of Boro paddy for the season. However, they exceeded expectations by obtaining over 47,442 tonnes of Boro paddy and 188,692 tonnes of boiled rice.
In terms of district-specific procurement, Khulna led with over 5,800 tonnes of Boro paddy and 26,877 tonnes of boiled rice. Other significant contributions came from Jashore with 12,828 tonnes of Boro paddy and 34,538 tonnes of boiled rice, and Kushtia with 49,887 tonnes of boiled rice. The total procurement also included notable amounts from Bagerhat, Satkhira, Jhenaidah, Magura, Narail, Chuadanga, and Meherpur.
Md Zahirul Islam Zahangir, Assistant Deputy Director of Food, emphasized that the paddy was procured directly from farmers and rice from 774 millers in the division. The procurement closure was officially announced on August 17 after successfully meeting the targets.
The initiative has been well-received by farmers, who reported satisfactory yields from the Boro paddy harvest, aiding in food security efforts. Favorable climatic conditions and consistent rainfall during the farming season were highlighted by DAE officials as contributing factors to the successful production. Furthermore, the government’s direct procurement from marginal farmers has minimized the influence of middlemen, ensuring fair pricing for local producers, Zahangir added.